Conduit electric railway



(No Model.)

J. H.. GUEST. GONDUIT BLEGTRIU RAILWAY.

No. 537,195. PatetedApl. 9,1895.

l Y n IIIII 4).

Niere JOHNII. GUEST, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

coNDul-r ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 537,195, dated April 9,1895. Application nea April 4,18% sen-a1 No. 508,380. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN H. GUEST, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and aresident of Boston, in the county of Syuolk and State of Massachusetts,have invented a certain new and useful'lmprovement in Electric Railways,ot' which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electric railway systems in which a conduit inthe roadway beneath the car is employed for holding the electricconductors whichl supply current to the car.

The invention is designed 'more particu; larly as an improvement on theslotted con duit 'system heretofore proposed and does away with thedifficulties arising from dirt, moisture, short circuiting,inaccessibility, &c., met with in such systems.

In carrying out my invention I propose to employ a sectional workingconductor from which the car shall take up current, the said sectionsbeing normally insulated from one another and from a suitable supplyconductor or line wire, and provided with automatic switches wherebyeach section may be automatically charged as the car reaches a section,and discharged as the car leaves it.

In describing my present invention I shall, for the sake ofillustration, assume that the said switches are of the kind whereinanarmature is connected with the switch for operating the sameand amagnet on the car actuates the armature to cause the switch to closeconnection between the sections of working conductor and the supplywire', the armature being returned to normal position by the repulsiveaction of another magnet on the car or in the conduit in a circuitclosed from another section. I wish it to be understood, however, that'ldo not limit myself to any particular style of automatic switch orInanner of operating the same, as'my invention is mainly in the detailsof the conduit itself, the manner of mounting the switch boxes in saidconduit, the construction of the sections of working conductor, andother features designed to simplify and cheapen the system, as well asto render it easy of repair and safe and durable in use.

In the accompanyingidrawings,Figure l is a longitudinal vertical sectionthrough the conduit on the line of the slot, the switch box `being shownin section at one side of said line. Fig. 2 is a cross section throughthe conduit on the line 2, 2, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a plan of a portion ot'the conduit with the switch boxes removed. Fig. 4 is a plan of a portionof one of the working conductors a part of the plate constituting theconductor being broken away to show the interior of the switch box. Fig.5 lis a vertical section through an extension of the cover plate forsaid box. Fig. 6 shows a side elevation of a manner of mounting the plowor collector to permit it to be adj usted longitudinally of the car.Fig. 7 illustrates a modification of the invention. Figs. 8 and 9 arediagrams of the apparatus.

A,is the conduit proper formed in sections of any desired length andmade of iron or other desired material, and open at its top to allowaccess to the contained parts for repair, or for entrance of the plow orcollector which is carried bythe car and makes connection with thesections of working conductor.

The conduit A, is preferably provided with A 'conduit and Vkeys ordovetails the conduit down upon the sleeper and keeps itin position. ThekeysD, may be of any desired length longitudinally of the conduit butthe groove in the bottom of A, extends the whole length, and thesections of conduit A, are put in position by driving or sliding eachlength into position against the section already laid.

E, E, indicate braces applied at intervals to the inside of the conduitto keep its sides spread against compression. Each brace is adapted tobe dropped into place andV to be withdrawn at pleasure without screws,bolts or other fastening devices. For this purpose its lower end or heelis made to lit into a notch c, in the side of the conduit near thebottom, while its opposite or upper end is squared to lit against theopposite side when lowered into position after insertion of the lowerend into the notch e. Preferably lugs f, are

formed inside of the conduit between which the upper end of the brace isreceived to hold it upright. The tops of the braces, resting in positionat an angle, are near their upper ends properly formed to receive andhold in place at the side of the conduit longitudinal stringers F,preferably of insulating material, forming a seat or shelf for theelectric conductors and the switch boxes G. The

stringers may be of wood treated for insula-` tion and against decay andmay be held against lateral shifting on the braces by a tongue andgroove connection therewith as shown. The boxes may be similarly held bya tongue and groove connection with the Stringer, as shown. At intervalsthe position of the upper ends of the braces is reversed to constitute amore uniform bracing, as well as to provide means for supporting similarstringers F', on the opposite side of the conduit, wherein to mount, ifdesired, the switch boxes and conductor for an electric return,independent of any return through the rails of the railway or otherexterior conductor. 1t will be understood that as the ofce of theStringer is mainly to insulate the boxes and other parts supported onthe braces from said braces, said stringer might be made in pieces or invery short lengths or might even consist ot insulating blocksapproximately as wide as the braces, as indicated in Fig. 7.

The boxes G, which are preferably of metal may also be fastened againstthe side of the conduit, as indicated, by suitable bolts H, which passthrough the side of the conduit and the side ot' the box, as indicated,being insulated from the latter by proper material when the said box isof metal.

I, indicates another stringer preferably of wood, or other suitablematerial, and interposed between the side of the box andthe side of theconduit, as shown, and preferably rising to the top of the cover plateG', for the box so as to insulate the latter as Well as the box itselffrom the side of the conduit.

The cover plate G', is fastened down upon the box G, by suitable screwsor bolts, as shown, and proper packing may be interposed to make theinterior air and moisture proof. The cover G', is provided withlongitudinal extension a, as shown, formed integral with said cover G',and constituting with said cover a section of working conductor that, bythe mechanism wit-hin the box, is placed in electrical connection withthe supply conductor, or disconnected therefrom automatically by anysuitable means. Each extension may have a foot a', supported upon thebrace pieces or the Stringer carried by the latter. The side edge of thecover G', and its extensions rest against the stringer I, and is heldfirmly against it by means of the bolt Il, so that no moisture can enterthe conduit at this point. The opposite edge of the cover forms theworking face of the working conductor against which the collector L,carried by the car and entering the slot of the conduit, rubs.

The box and its cover are Hush with the top of the conduitand constitutea part of the cover thereof, as clearly indicated in the drawings, andthe opening between the edge ofthe cover and the plate at the oppositeside of the conduit forms the slot into which may enter the plow orcollector.

The length of each section of working conductor will depend upon thenature of the switch system employed and will be governed by thecircumstances of each particular case.

Vthen it is desired to provide a return independent of the car rails, lprovide a similar system of switch boxes at the opposite edge ot' theconduit, as clearly indicated in the draw ings, which are similarlysupported to those already described and lettered. The second set ofswitch boxes is indicated by the letter G2, and the edge of the coverthereof may be engaged by the proper collector in the same manner as thecover of the boxes G.

The collector, as indicated in Fig. 2, may consist simply of two platesL, L', fastened together, but insulated from one another by insulationindicated at d, and provided near their bottom end with a spring m,tending to force them apart and into engagement with the workingconductor. The ends of the spring m, are insulated from said collectorsby insulation as shown.

The automatic switches within the boxes may be actuated as follows-1),is an electromagnet suitably mounted within the box G, and R, is anarmature fora magnet on the car or vehicle. This armature4 is preferablyof steel and permanently magnetized but is mounted in an extension ofthecore for electromagnet P, so as to be magnetized thereby. The free endof the armature R, normally rests over a piece of soft iron R2, beingmagnetically insulated therefrom, as shown, this piece of iron servingto retain the armature R, in open circuit position. W'hen the armatureis drawn up by a magnet ou the vehicle it makes connection with acontact plug or piece 25, in the cover of G', and thereby places thelatterin electrical connection with a supply conductor 27, which isconnected with the core of the electromagnet R, as indicated in thediagram, so that section G' becomes alive. The plug 25, is preferably ofsoft iron whereby the magnetism of ille car magnet may be carried intothe box, and it is set in a bushing of brass 2G, or other nonmagnetcmetal to prevent the dissipation of the magnetism into the iron cover.Electric connection with the parts within the box is made by wiresrunning through the end or bottom and the points of entrance are suit`ably sealed against moisture. After the magnet on the vehicle passes theend of the armature R, the latter is retained in position by itspermanent magnetism assisted and conserved by the current iowing in thecoils of the magnet P, said coils being included in the circuit betweenthe supply conductor 27, and the armature or circuit closer R. Thearmature may be drawn up by electro-magnet'T, on the vehicle and may berestored to normal position byelectro-magnet T2. These magnets as shown,have their coils preferably included in a circuit from the motorycircuit on the vehicle being, as indicated, in shunt relationl to theelectric motor M, which is in eluded in the circuit taken up by thecollector or collectors. There being two collectors L, L', in the formof my invention herein shown, it is placed in the direct circuit of thegenerator W, from one to the other of said collectors.

The electro-magnets T, T2, may be each formed as a horseshoe-magnet whentwo sets of switch boxes at opposite sides of the slot are used, onepole of the magnet acting on the armatures in the boxes at one side ofthe slot and the other pole upon those in the boxes of the oppositeside. The polarities of the armatures R, would be of proper sign, aswill be well understood, to be each attracted by the respective poles ofthe magnet T.y

Assuming that the'car is moving in the direction of the arrow Fig. 9,the electromag net T, would be the forward magnet andthe rearelectro-magnet T2, would have its poles reversed in relation to those ofT, so that it would serve to repel the armatures R, and restore thelatter to normal position as soon as the collector has left the workingconductor to which the armature or circuit closer R, belongs. Inasmuchas it is desirable that this opening of circuit should not take placeuntil the collector has left such section, it isdesirable that thedistance between the rear magnet and the collector should be somewhatgreater than the distance between the forward magnet and said collector.As will be seen the length of the sections determines approximately thedistance between the magnets.

The operation of the devices in opening and closing circuit for thesection of working conductor will be obvious, the forward magnetscompleting the connections for the working conductor so that thecollector may ind the same alive before it leaves the section at therear and as soon as itvleaves the latter the rear magnet cornes intoplay to depress the Acircuit closer R, and leave such section dead. Inthe reverse movement of the vehiclethe collector should be nearer themagnet T2, than it is to the magnet T. To provide for this the collectormay be mounted, as shown in Fig. 6, and provided with i mechanismwhereby it may be shifted longitudinally of the car, assuming that themagnets are in fixed position, but as will be readily understood, themagnets or the collector might be moved to change theirrelativepositionasdescribed. Asshown in this figure the collector is mounted to slidelongitudinally of the car in aguide frame 30, fastened to a bar carriedby the car truck. Suitable chains or cords fastened to the slide enableit to be moved in either direction.

I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to mounting thecollector or collectors to make contact with the edge of the plates orworking conductors, since, as will be obvious, they might makeconnection with the'top.

It will be obvious further that the distance between the two rows ofplates, when two series are used so as to make a return by said plates,must be such as not to allow arcing between them, this distance in anycase being determined by the voltage of the system. This mayy in somecases limit the voltage inasmuch as the width of the slot is limited bypractical considerations. Where this difficulty is met with the returnmay be made by a separate line of conductors as, for instance, by therails, or the two sides of the collector and the two lines of platesforming the top of the conduit may be spread to the necessary distanceand the space between them closed by insulation, the collectors in suchcase making connection with the top of the plates.

If the magnets T, T2, are electro-magnets,

it will be obvious that suitable means should be provided for changingtheir polarity when the car moves in the opposite direction. This may bedone by means of suitable electric switches, as well understood in theart.

The circuits on the vehicle from the collector through the motor areclearly indicated in the diagram and being of any ordinary or suitabledescription need not be further described.

To prevent the establishment of an arc when the collector leaves the endof the two parallel working conductors, a sheet of insulating material3l, such as mica, may be supported between the two collectors. Thissheet extends a sufficient distance beyond the edge of each collector toshut 0E the arc and not allow it to travel around the edge of theshield. This device is especially desirable where the automatic switchdevices are adjusted and arranged to break connection only after thecollectorA leaves the working conductor.

What I claim as my invention is-V 1. In a conduit for railways, thecombination with the railway tie or sleeper and the conduit having agroove on its bottom, of a key piece attached to the tie, as and for thepurpose described.

2. The combination with an electric railway conduit, of interior obliquebraces rest- IZO 4. In an electric railway conduit, interior l bracepieces resting therein at an angle, and providedl at their upper endswith supports for a longitudinal stringer'of insulating material.

5. In a railway conduit, the combination with interior `brace pieces, ofa longitudinal stringer of insulating material resting thereon near theside of the conduit and having tongue and groove connections with thebraces.

6. In a railway conduit, the combination with the interior brace pieces,of a longitudinal Stringer of insulating material supported thereon,andan automatic switch-box resting on said Stringer.

7. The combination with the conduit interior braces, of a Stringer and aswitch box supported on said stringer and fastened to the side of theconduit.

8. In an electric railway system, an automatic switch-box having a coverprovided with longitudinal extensions integral with it and constitutinga working conductor.

9. In an electric railway System, an automatic switch box whose cover isprovided with longitudinal extensions having a supporting foot oriiange.

10. In an electric railway, the combination with a conduit havinginterior braces, of automatic switch boxes and electric extensions fromthe covers thereof supported on said braces.

11. In an electric railway, the combination with the conduit, of theinterior braces and the switch boxes supported thereby and havinglongitudinal extensions forming a cover for the conduit and alsosupported by said braces.

12. In an electric railway, the combination with a conduit havinginterior braces for retaining the walls thereof in place, of switchboxes supported thereon, as and for the purpose described.

13. In an electric railway, the combination with the conduit, of theinterior braces, the switch boxes resting thereon, and a cover for saidconduit formed of the switch-box covers and electrical extensionsthereof.

14. In an electric railway, the combination with a conduit, of aswitch-box supported therein and a cover plate for said switch-boxconstituting by its side edge a working conductor for engagement by thecollector of the car.

15. In an electric railway, a slotted conduit, the slotted cover ofwhich consists of the covers of automatic switch-boxes.

16. In an electric railway, a slotted conduit holding an automaticswitch-box whose cover and extensions thereof constitute at their edgethe working conductor engaged by the collector which passes into theslot.

17. In an electric railway, the combination with the conduit having thesupporting cross pieces, of the switch boxes carried thereby, and theinsulating stringers applied to the side of the conduit between the sameand the box, as and for the purpose described.

18. The combination with the conduit, ot the switch boxes bolted to theside thereof and forming a cover for the conduit, as and for the purposedescribed.

19. The combination, substantially as described, in an electric railwayhaving normally insulated working conductors, of two actuating magnetscarried bythe vehicle, one to close and the other to open theconnections for the Sections of working conductor, a collector mountedbetween said magnets, and means for changing the relative positions ofthe magnets and collector longitudinally of the vehicle, as and for thepurpose described.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,this 13th day of April, A. D. 1894. Y

JOI-1N I-I. GUEST. Witnesses:

WM. H. CAPEL, T. F. CONREY.

